The residents of Gigha have been waiting to hear if their bid to buy the island has been successful.

Offers for the three and a half thousand-acre estate had to be in by 1200 GMT on Monday.

MSP George Lyon said rejection of the community bid would leave any new owner in an untenable position.

The island's residents have had just over a fortnight to put together a bid for the island, which was put on the market by its current owner Derek Holt with an asking price of over £3.8m.

Kenny Robison: "Air of anticipation"

In that time they have secured a substantial amount of lottery backing through the Scottish Land Fund, as well as contributions from the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Community Land Unit and public donations.

It is believed they face competition from three other private buyers.

Kenny Robison, of the Isle of Gigha Trust said: "There is an air of anticipation in the island and we are just getting on with our jobs and looking forward to finding out the result.

"If we lose out then I'll personally be devastated and there will be a lot of very disappointed people on the island and even beyond."

Mr Lyon said the current owner has shown a great deal of sympathy towards the community bid, and he maintained it would now be unthinkable for him to reject the islanders' offer.